Sergi Vela

Bio: Sergi Vela is an academic researcher from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. The author has contributed to research in topics: Spin crossover & Magnetic susceptibility. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 51 publications receiving 643 citations. Previous affiliations of Sergi Vela include University of Strasbourg & University of Barcelona.

Spin State Chemistry: Modulation of Ligand pKa by Spin State Switching in a [2×2] Iron(II) Grid-Type Complex

Abstract: The iron(II) [2×2] grid complex Fe-8H has been synthesized and characterized. It undergoes spin-crossover (SCO) upon deprotonation of the hydrazine-based terpyridine-like ligand. The deprotonation patterns have been determined by X-ray crystallography and 1H NMR spectroscopy and discussed in relation to the spin state of the iron(II) centers, which influences greatly the pKa of the ligand. The synthesis of the magnetically silent zinc(II) analogue is also reported, and its (de)protonation behavior has been characterized to serve as a reference for the study of the FeII grid complexes. DFT computations have also been performed in order to investigate how the successive deprotonation of the bridging ligands affects the SCO behavior within the grid.

Insights into the crystal-packing effects on the spin crossover of [FeII(1-bpp)]2+-based materials

Abstract: Iron(II) complexes of the [FeII(1-bpp2)]2+ type (1-bpp = 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine) have been intensively investigated in the context of crystal engineering of switchable materials because their spin-crossover (SCO) properties dramatically depend on the counterions. Here, by means of DFT + U calculations at the molecular and solid state levels we provide a rationale for the different SCO behaviour of the BF4− and ClO4− salts of the parent complex; the former features Fe(II) complexes with a regular coordination geometry and undergoes a spin transition, whereas the Fe(II) complexes of the latter adopt a distorted structure and remain in the high-spin state at all temperatures. The different SCO behaviour of both salts can be explained on the basis of a combination of thermodynamic and kinetic effects. The shape of the SCO units at high temperature is thermodynamically controlled by the intermolecular interactions between the SCO units and counterions within the crystal. The spin trapping at low temperatures in the ClO4− salt, in turn, is traced back to a kinetic effect because our calculations have revealed the existence of a more stable polymorph having SCO units in their low-spin state that feature a regular structure. From the computational point of view, it is the first time that the U parameter is fine-tuned on the basis of CASPT2 calculations, thereby enabling an accurate description of the energetics of the spin transition at both molecular and solid-state levels.

The key role of vibrational entropy in the phase transitions of dithiazolyl-based bistable magnetic materials

Abstract: The neutral radical 1,3,5-trithia-2,4,6-triazapentalenyl (TTTA) is a prototype of molecule-based bistable materials. TTTA crystals undergo a first-order phase transition between their low-temperature diamagnetic and high-temperature paramagnetic phases, with a large hysteresis loop that encompasses room temperature. Here, based on ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and new X-ray measurements, we uncover that the regular stacking motif of the high-temperature polymorph is the result of a fast intra-stack pair-exchange dynamics, whereby TTTA radicals continually exchange the adjacent TTTA neighbour (upper or lower) with which they form an eclipsed dimer. Such unique dynamics, observed in the paramagnetic phase within the whole hysteresis loop, is the origin of a significant vibrational entropic gain in the low-temperature to high-temperature transition and thereby it plays a key role in driving the phase transition. This finding provides a new key concept that needs to be explored for the rational design of novel molecule-based bistable magnetic materials.

Towards an accurate and computationally-efficient modelling of Fe(II)-based spin crossover materials

Abstract: The DFT + U methodology is regarded as one of the most-promising strategies to treat the solid state of molecular materials, as it may provide good energetic accuracy at a moderate computational cost. However, a careful parametrization of the U-term is mandatory since the results may be dramatically affected by the selected value. Herein, we benchmarked the Hubbard-like U-term for seven Fe(II)N6-based pseudo-octahedral spin crossover (SCO) compounds, using as a reference an estimation of the electronic enthalpy difference (ΔHelec) extracted from experimental data (T1/2, ΔS and ΔH). The parametrized U-value obtained for each of those seven compounds ranges from 2.37 eV to 2.97 eV, with an average value of U = 2.65 eV. Interestingly, we have found that this average value can be taken as a good starting point since it leads to an unprecedented mean absolute error (MAE) of only 4.3 kJ mol−1 in the evaluation of ΔHelec for the studied compounds. Moreover, by comparing our results on the solid state and the gas phase of the materials, we quantify the influence of the intermolecular interactions on the relative stability of the HS and LS states, with an average effect of ca. 5 kJ mol−1, whose sign cannot be generalized. Overall, the findings reported in this manuscript pave the way for future studies devoted to understand the crystalline phase of SCO compounds, or the adsorption of individual molecules on organic or metallic surfaces, in which the rational incorporation of the U-term within DFT + U yields the required energetic accuracy that is dramatically missing when using bare-DFT functionals.

Ab initio calculation of vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra using density functional force fields

Abstract: : The unpolarized absorption and circular dichroism spectra of the fundamental vibrational transitions of the chiral molecule, 4-methyl-2-oxetanone, are calculated ab initio. Harmonic force fields are obtained using Density Functional Theory (DFT), MP2, and SCF methodologies and a 5S4P2D/3S2P (TZ2P) basis set. DFT calculations use the Local Spin Density Approximation (LSDA), BLYP, and Becke3LYP (B3LYP) density functionals. Mid-IR spectra predicted using LSDA, BLYP, and B3LYP force fields are of significantly different quality, the B3LYP force field yielding spectra in clearly superior, and overall excellent, agreement with experiment. The MP2 force field yields spectra in slightly worse agreement with experiment than the B3LYP force field. The SCF force field yields spectra in poor agreement with experiment.The basis set dependence of B3LYP force fields is also explored: the 6-31G* and TZ2P basis sets give very similar results while the 3-21G basis set yields spectra in substantially worse agreements with experiment. jg

Dynamic molecular crystals with switchable physical properties

Abstract: The development of molecular materials whose physical properties can be controlled by external stimuli - such as light, electric field, temperature, and pressure - has recently attracted much attention owing to their potential applications in molecular devices. There are a number of ways to alter the physical properties of crystalline materials. These include the modulation of the spin and redox states of the crystal's components, or the incorporation within the crystalline lattice of tunable molecules that exhibit stimuli-induced changes in their molecular structure. A switching behaviour can also be induced by changing the molecular orientation of the crystal's components, even in cases where the overall molecular structure is not affected. Controlling intermolecular interactions within a molecular material is also an effective tool to modulate its physical properties. This Review discusses recent advances in the development of such stimuli-responsive, switchable crystalline compounds - referred to here as dynamic molecular crystals - and suggests how different approaches can serve to prepare functional materials.

TURBOMOLE: Modular program suite for ab initio quantum-chemical and condensed-matter simulations

Abstract: TURBOMOLE is a collaborative, multi-national software development project aiming to provide highly efficient and stable computational tools for quantum chemical simulations of molecules, clusters, periodic systems, and solutions. The TURBOMOLE software suite is optimized for widely available, inexpensive, and resource-efficient hardware such as multi-core workstations and small computer clusters. TURBOMOLE specializes in electronic structure methods with outstanding accuracy-cost ratio, such as density functional theory including local hybrids and the random phase approximation (RPA), GW-Bethe-Salpeter methods, second-order Moller-Plesset theory, and explicitly correlated coupled-cluster methods. TURBOMOLE is based on Gaussian basis sets and has been pivotal for the development of many fast and low-scaling algorithms in the past three decades, such as integral-direct methods, fast multipole methods, the resolution-of-the-identity approximation, imaginary frequency integration, Laplace transform, and pair natural orbital methods. This review focuses on recent additions to TURBOMOLE's functionality, including excited-state methods, RPA and Green's function methods, relativistic approaches, high-order molecular properties, solvation effects, and periodic systems. A variety of illustrative applications along with accuracy and timing data are discussed. Moreover, available interfaces to users as well as other software are summarized. TURBOMOLE's current licensing, distribution, and support model are discussed, and an overview of TURBOMOLE's development workflow is provided. Challenges such as communication and outreach, software infrastructure, and funding are highlighted.

Magnetic interactions in molecules and highly correlated materials: physical content, analytical derivation, and rigorous extraction of magnetic Hamiltonians.

Abstract: Physical Content, Analytical Derivation, and Rigorous Extraction of Magnetic Hamiltonians Jean Paul Malrieu,† Rosa Caballol,‡ Carmen J. Calzado, Coen de Graaf,‡,∥ and Nathalie Guiheŕy*,† †Laboratoire de Chimie et Physique Quantiques, Universite ́ de Toulouse 3, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France ‡Departament de Química Física i Inorgaǹica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Marcel·lí Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain Departamento de Química Física, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor Garcia Gonzalez s/n, 41012 Sevilla, Spain Institucio ́ Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avanca̧ts (ICREA), Passeig Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain